Corn-harvester



5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) I

A. F. BATGHELLER. CORN HARVESTER.

N0. 512,999. Patented Jan, 16, 1894.

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- Attorney (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. F. BATGHELLER.

CORN HARVESTER.

No.512,999. Y PatentedJaJn.16,18Q4.

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'5 Sheets-Sheet 3. A. F. BATGHELLER.

GORNVHARVESTER. No. 512,999.

Patented Jan. 16, 1894.

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CORN HARVBSTER.

No. 512,999. Patented Jan. i16' 1894 R 0 .7 m I V 1 WI TJVESS ES m: NATIONAL LITNOGHAFHING COMPANY.

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Patented Jan. 16, 1894 WITNESSES ms NAYIONAL umosrurmm: coMPAr v.

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NITED STATES Parisian. OFFICE.

ALEXANDER r. BATOHELLER, or HAWARDEN, IOWA.

CORN-HARVESTER.

SPECIFIOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,999, dated January 16, 1894.

Application filed March 23, 1898.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, ALEXANDER F. BATCH- ELLER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hawarden, in the county of Sioux and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Harvesters and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part-of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of, the harvester. Fig. 2 is a similar view, taken from the opposite side. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the barvester. Fig. 4 is a section on the line m0c, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on the line y y, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the l ne 10-10, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail perspectlve View of a portion of the frame and guides. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of a portion of the driving gear in different positions. Fig. 10 is a detail view of two of the saws.v Fig. 11 is a detail view of a portion of one of the feeder chains or carriers. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the steering gear.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in corn harvesters, the object being to provide a machine of improved character which will gather the ears from the standing corn in-the field; and the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, all as hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the main frame of the machine, which is inclined upward from its forward to its rear end, at an angle of about forty five degrees to the horizontal. Near its lower forward end, said frame carries a short, laterally projecting axle stud or journal 0,, upon which is journaled the mam supporting and drive wheel B. From the opposite side of the frame, at a point higher than that of the journal a, there projects laterally at right angles an arm 0, which is extended to a considerable distance from thebody of the frame, and terminates in adownward and forwardly curved arm 0', which at its lower portion car- Serial No. 467,369. (No model.)

ries a stud or journal I), upon which is journaled the supporting wheel B. Said arm 0' is connected to the rear upper portion of the frame by a brace 0 brace O to the body of the frame. The main portion of the frame consists of three parallel inclined bars A, which are separated from each other sufficiently to permit the passage of the corn therebetween, and the operation of the picking saws as hereinafter described. Journaled in each of these three bars is a series of short transverse shafts c. In the machine illustrated, there are three of these shafts in each series, corresponding shafts in each series being arranged in transverse alignment. The shafts c of the middle bar, at their central portions carry each a toothed wheel 0', the bar being cut away as shown to permit the rotation of these Wheels therein with their shafts. The shafts c of each outer or lateral bar carry similar wheels, but they are placed upon the outer ends of the shaft. Each series of these wheels c'carries an endless sprocket chain D, which passes over said wheels, around the ends of the bar and under said wheels, and at the upper rear portion of the frame at the upper ends of said bars A, is journaled a transverse shaft E, which carries three toothed wheels 01, similar to the wheels 0, one of said wheels cl being in alignment with each series of the wheels 0'. The chains Dalso pass over these wheels 01 which form the driving wheels for said chains, power being transmitted to the shaft E- by a longitudinal inclined shaft F, located The arm C also has a outside the frame, and having a bevel wheel F at its lower end, which meshes with an annular bevel gear wheel F on the drive wheel B. On the upper end of theshaftF is also a bevel gear wheel F which gears into a similar but smaller wheel F on the shaft E. On each end of each of the shafts c of the middle bar, and on the inner end of each shaft 0 of the lateral bars is a large toothed disk or saw G, having long hooked teeth f.

Above the outer edge of each of the lateral bars A is secured a guard plate G, the lateral sprocket chainsD running one between each of said guard plates and the lateral series of saws, and the central chain between I the two central series of saws. Above said saws the guard plates G are secured to the l inner edge of each lateral bar A, and to both edges of the central bar, so that each chain is provided with a laterally closed passage through which it-Works. Each chain is provided at intervals with projections or teeth 9, so that itforms an endless carrier for the cars which are broken off by the saws, as presently described, the guards G G2 and the saws, which form the passages through which said carriers work, as above described, preventing the cars from falling through the frame.

Supported above the main frame A is a second parallel frame A comprising the two parallel side portions of, the upper rear cross piece a and the upward bow portion a, which is I connected to the cross piece a by the brace a.

Secured to the upper portion of the bow portion a at each side is a bracket g, and in these brackets is journaled a transvere shaft H, which carries near each end a bevel gear wheel H, each of which gears into a similar wheel H on the upper portion of a vertical shaft H Said shafts H are journaled at their lower portions one in each side portion a of the frame A and at their upper portions in arms of the brackets g. Each of said vertical shafts H carries at its intermediate portion, two sprocket toothed wheels I, the lower of said wheels being a short distance above the saws, while the upper wheel is considerably above the saws.

At the forward end of the machine aretwo shafts J J,wl1ich are parallel with the shafts H one of said shafts J being journaled at its lower end at each lower forward side portion of the main frame, and at its intermediate portion in a bearing it carried by the arms a of the frame A Each shaft J carries two sprocket toothed wheels J, each of which is placed at about the same relative distance above the saws, as the corresponding wheels I on the shafts H Each pair of said wheels I and J, on the same side of the ma chine carry an endless sprocket chain or belt J similar to the carriers D before described and having projecting spring teeth or fingers. This arrangement, it will be apparent from the above description, and from the drawings, provides each side of the machine with a pair of these endless chains or belts, the plane of whose travel is parallel to the inclined plane of the frame. The purpose and operation of these chains will hereinafter appear. The shaft H is driven by a sprocket chain K from theshaft E, and the arrangement of the gear is such, that the inner portions of the chain carriers J are caused to travel from front to rear, or in the same direction as the upper portions of the carriers D.

At the upper rear portion of the frame A is arranged a platform L, onto which the ears of corn are designed to be discharged by the carriers D. Said platform is inclined downwardly toward the left hand side of the ma chine where it joins a vertical chute L, down which the ears pass from said platform.

Leading upwardly and laterally from the lower portion of the chute L is a chute or trough M, through which travels in an upward direction one portion of an endless carrier or conveyor belt or chain M, which passes over a carrying wheel Z, at the upper portion of said chute or trough,its other portion passing downwardly under the chute or trough to the lower end, where it passes over the driving wheel m in the lower portion of the chute L. The driving wheel m is carried by a short shaft m, having a bevel gear wheel m which gears into a wheel m on a second short shaftn at right angles to the shaft m. Said shaft 11. is drivenby the chain K from the shaft E said chain passing over a gear wheel 91. on said shaft, (see Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5) or by other suitable connection. The chute L is connected to the arm 0 by a brace N.

O designates the pole which at its forward end is connected to the frame A shortly in rear of the wheel B, and but a short distance inside of said wheel. Said pole is extended horizontally rearward to a considerable distance to the rear of the main portion of the machine, and is'braced to therear upper portion of the machine by a downward arm 0 of the frame A. The rear portion of said tongue is supported upon a guide wheel P, journaled in a bracket P, the post p of which is swiveled in said tongue, and carries at its upper portion a toothed crown segment Q, the teeth of which gear into the teeth of a segment. Q, on the lower arm of a steering lever B, which is fulcrumed to a brace R on the tongue. R is the seat, supported on said tongue, and R a foot rest. By the operation of the lever B it will be apparent that the machine may be guided as may be desired.

In order that the shaft E, and thereby the entire operating mechanism. of the harvester may be thrown out of gear when desired, the bevel gear wheel F on the shaft F, which gears into the wheel F on the shaft E, as hereinbefore described, is made capable of an endwise movement on the shaft F, and is connected thereto by a pin 0, and slot '0'.

Said wheel F is also formed with a grooved collar or boss 0 the groove of which is engaged by the curved upper portion of an arm S, pivoted at its lower portion to the arm 0 of theframe A. Connected to said arm S and to the frame is a spring S,the tension of which is such as to normally hold the wheel F in engagement with the pin 0 of its shaft. Connected also to the arm S is a cable S which extends rearwardly along the tongue, passing through a guides thereon, and atits rear end connected to. a pivoted or rocking foot lever S within reach of the seat. When said lever is depressed,-a tension is given the cable S which acts on the arm S and the wheel F to throw the latter out of connection with its shaft T designates the draft attachment which is connectedto the pole shortly in front ofthe seat.

The operation of the machine will now be described in detail. The machine is so placed that its lateral bars A, will straddle a row of corn, the stalks of which will be guided in between said bars and the central bar, by means of the front lateral guides U, proj ecting forwardly from the frame, and by the center guide U, from which extends upwardly and rearwardly a rod or bar V, which extends longitudinally of the machine over the central carrier D at about the height of the lower lateral carriers J and is connected at its rear upper portion to the brace of. Rods V also extend back from the center guide and from the lateral guides, between the lateral and central bars A, said rods being connected to the frame at their forward ends. As the machine progresses, the stalks are forced in between the rods V", and between the chain or belt' J and the central rod or bar V, said chains or belts acting as feeders and catching the upper portions of the stalks, bringing them in, and holding them in position for the saws'to act. The lower ears on the stalks will come under the action of the lower saws early in the passage of the corn through the machine, the higher ears coming under the action of the upper saws. These saws strike the ears, breaking them from the stalks, and they fall upon the endless chain carriers D,

and are carried up and-deposited upon the platform L. From this platform they fall into the chute L, when they. are taken up the trough or chute M by the carrier M. From the upper end of the chute or trough the ears fall into a suitable vehicle,-which is driven alongside of the harvester. The stalks after havingbeen deprived of their ears, pass under the upper portion of the machine to the rear. It will be understood that the machine is drawn in such a manner that the discharging chute or trough M overhangs that portion of the field where the corn has been picked by the previous passage of the machine.

It will be obvious that 1 may vary the con-' struction of the various frame pieces, and other minor parts of the machine from that herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

plane on said frame, the endless carriers, the

endless lateral feeder chains or belts, and the 4. In acorn harvester, the combination with several series of rotarysaws or disks journaled at different heights on horizontal axes in an inclined plane, of a series of endless traveling feeders having teeth or projections thereon, and arranged to bring the corn into position to be operated upon by said saws, substantially as specified. 1

' 5'. In a corn harvester, thecombination with the inclined frame, having. a series of parallel bars forming passages for the corn between them, the short shafts journaled in each of said bars in different horizontal planes,the toothed wheels carried by said shafts, the endless carriers-carried by said wheels, the toothed disks or saws on said shafts, the lat eral feeder chains or belts, and the'driving gear, substantially as specified. Y

r 6. Inacorn harvester,the combination with the inclined main frame,'the saws, journaled at different heights on horizontal axes in an inclined plane and the endless carriers work'- ing in close relation to said saws, of the upper frame supported upon and parallel with said main frame, the vertical shafts journaled therein, the gear wheels on said shafts,

the endless belts or chains carried by said gear wheels and traveling ina plane parallel to said frame, and the driving gear, substantially as specified.

7. In a corn harvester, the combination with the inclined frame, its parallel bars having passages between them, the short shafts journaled in said bars, the toothed wheels on said shafts, the toothed disks or saws also on said shafts, the endless carriers working between and laterally of said saws, the laterally closed passages through which said carriers work, the delivery platform, the chute therefrom, and the conveyer traveling through the lower portion of said chute, substantially as specified.

8. In a corn harvester, the combination with a series of rotary toothed disks or saws, and their driving mechanism,and means for bringing the corn under the action of said saws, of a series of endless carriers working between and laterally of said saws, guard plates in connection with said saws to form laterally closed ways for said carriers, a platform onto ing between said double central series of saws and laterally of each lateral series, the driving mechanism for said carriers and saws, and means for bringing the corn to the action of s i ews, b tan ial he sp i e 10. In, a cern harvester, the combination ri hthein li d f am i e hppe wh e the saw shafts and saws, the toothed wheels on saidsawshaft and. th endle e heih eerier gear ng o a d toothed wheel of t e transverse haft iournaled t he upper a portion of Said rame e tee hed W eel r on, nto whie ee d hei eer i rs g he lin d longit d na s af gear d o. t e

driving he l, and heYel. se r .1 he upper. n of sa d shaf ving s mi r se on a ans shaf en sta tia'lly e pe ed- 11. In a corn harvester, the combination i the am nc i e f ein. its o war edg upward, its parallelbars A forming corn passe be w en th ir, e d he r tar sew d endless carriers working onsa-id frame, of the ater l and c ral u de a he. f rwa d p 7- ti n of a d fram he. ro e u ni g om sa guides between said bars A, the upper central rod Y, and the traveling endless feeder chainsor belts werking above said saws, substantially as specified.

12. In a corn harvester, the combination with the inclined frame, the saws, the saw shafts and gear, the endless carriers D, the ransvers shaft E, t ge r, he ppe reve lel frame A its upward how, the transverse shaft jonrnaled upon said how, its driving gear from the shaft E, its bevel gear wheels, the vertical shafts driven by said bevel gear, theparallel vertical shafts at the lower forward portion of the frame, the toothed wheels on said vertical shafts, and the endless chains or belts carried by said toothed wheels, said belts or chains traveling in a plane parallel with that of the inclined frames, and having teeth or projections thereon, substantially as specified.

13. In a corn harvester, the combination with the inclined frame, the saws, and the endless carriers traveling alongside saidsaws, of the platform at the upper rear portion of th frame up n w i h s d ar ie s disc a g the chute leading downward from. oneedge of said platform, the trough projecting upwardly and laterally frem the lower portion of said action of said saws, substantially as specified.

15. In a corn harvester, the combination wi h a, s ies of rete y teethed disks or s Wo kin in v ie pl nee en i n l d in diffe e t o izo ta plen sen mechanis fer b i g th m to acid sav nd a ries of endless carrierohainewerking in proximity to said saws, and traveling in the inclined plane thereof, substantially asspeci- 16-. n. eehn ha ve r, th mean erb ing the ears from the. stalks, comprising a see 0f r t ate hee d k eewe, verk in vertical planes and journaled in dilferent h izonta planes, ubsta l y s p ifie l7. A corn harvester, cqmprising essentially the supporting and guidewheels, the inclined frahie e n, the series of rotary av rer ing in vertical planes and journaled in diiferen h r zo a planes on sa d remethe en less conveyers which carry the ears from said saws, the guides and traveling belts or chains for bringingthe corn to said saws, and the driving hee e hete ie1 ee Sp ci 18. A corn-harvester comprising essentially thereon, the series of rotary saws in said frame working in vertical planes and journaled in d ent horizon al Pl nesf h guides endless traveling belts or chains which bring the corn to said saws, the endless conveyors and chutes for carrying the ears away from ALEXANDER F. BATGI-IELLERJ Witnesses:

J. O. DUNCAN, G. F. HUNTER.

the suppo i g heel h in line e e 

